BINI FundHelping Staten Island in Times of Need2015-07-08T20:02:47Zhttp://www.binifund.org/feed/atom/Anthony Rapacciuolohttp://www.binifund.org/?p=5452014-12-09T19:01:19Z2014-12-09T19:01:19ZContinue reading →]]>STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Special-needs students at PS 37 in Great Kills have a new cafeteria to brighten their day, thanks to the generosity of the Carl V. Bini Foundation Memorial Fund.

When Massimo DiDonna, from the Bini Fund, visited the school in the spring and toured the cafeteria in the main building on Fairfield Street, he saw it had grown shabby with use, with fading paint on the walls, and rundown tables and chairs.

DiDonna’s father-in-law, Firefighter Carl V. Bini, died on 9/11, and the fund is named for him. Also, his late sister, Daniela DiDonna, attended PS 37, and the family wanted to do something to show their appreciation for the school, officials said.

When Parent-Teacher Association president Linda LaSheen took DiDonna around the school, they agreed that a cafeteria makeover would be a good way to start. The two worked on selecting a color scheme and decor, with the results unveiled Tuesday.

The brightly painted walls are now adorned with student artwork, the windows have curtains, and the rickety tables and chairs have been replaced with sturdy new wood pieces. The room is dedicated to Daniela DiDonna, and family members were on hand for the unveiling.

“Now our cafeteria looks warm and inviting, and gives our children a feeling of security, and puts them in a happy mood,” Mrs. LaSheen said.

Florence Gorsky, the school’s acting interim principal, expressed her gratitude to the Bini Foundation and the DiDonna family.

“One of the most exciting parts to dedicating the new cafeteria is that it’s dedicated in memory of one of our students,” said Assistant Principal Deborah Labetti. “Daniella DiDonna will always remain extremely special to our students and staff.”

HUGUENOT — The famed British soccer team Manchester City stopped by St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School on Tuesday during their United States tour to host a clinic and announce their donations to a Staten Island club hit hard byHurricane Sandy.

After the storm wiped out equipment used by Staten Island United in Miller Field, the UK soccer club partnered with the Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund to donate equipment for the team.

The team donated goals, nets, balls and other equipment to get the kids back on the pitch, said Sandy Rapuglia, director of coaching for Staten Island United.

“We’re tremendously honored that they’ve taken the time,” Rapuglia said. “They actually approached us to help. The level of caring that the club has shown is impressive.”

Players from the club said they were trying to help the victims any way they can, and the smiling faces on the kids let them know they succeeded.

“Some of them lost everything and that’s why we’re here just to try to help the kids in any way,” Džeko, striker for Manchester City, said. “When you see the kids smiling, playing football, we did a good job.”

Councilman Vincent Ignizio thanked the players, many who also play on their country’s national teams, and said they have no idea how much it means for Staten Island that they came.

“For the many, many people who lost everything, this is a lot to them,” he said.

“So many residents that I represent here on Staten Island just need a day away from thinking about Sandy,” he said. “Today is one of those days.”

Esmim Vukovic, 6, of New Dorp, said he’s a big fan of Manchester City and was excited to play with them on Tuesday. He said he learned a lot from the team and was glad they came.

“[They taught me] about dribbling past the defender, about cuts, and checks,” he said.

After the clinic, the team spent time with fans signing autographs and taking pictures before they left.

Massimo DiDonna, chairman and president of the Bini foundation, said he could tell the players genuinely enjoyed the time spent at the high school’s pitch.

“You could tell that they weren’t forced to be here,” DiDonna said. “They wanted to be here.”

Even though more than six months has passed since the storm, many families still haven’t recovered their homes. The donated equipment will give the parents less expense to worry about, DiDonna said.

“The fact that these parents are struggling to rebuild their homes and give these kids some normal kind of lifestyle,” he said.

“This gives the parents the ability to keep the money going back to their homes versus going back and donating to the organization to buy more supplies for their kids.”

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